Weigela plant named ‘WFMOBLA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Weigela  cultivar named ‘WFMOBLA’ is disclosed, characterized by a low, mounded plant habit requiring little pruning to maintain shape. Plants are very cold hardy and produce attractive glossy dark foliage. Dark foliage appears in the Spring when overwintered in a poly-house. The new. variety is a  Weigela , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Weigela florida.

Variety denomination: ‘WFMOBLA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Weigela cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Timothy D. Wood, in Grand Haven, Minn. Theobjective of the breeding program was to produce new Weigela varietieswith low, mounded, dwarf plant habits, and improved productionperformance. The open pollination resulting in this new variety occuredduring May of 2009.

The seed parent is the commercial variety, Weigela florida ‘Verweig’U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,824. The pollen parent is unknown as it was anopen pollination breeding program. The new variety was identified as apotentially interesting selection in June of 2011, at a greenhouse inSpring Lake, Minn.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘WFMOBLA’ by softwood cuttingswas first performed during June of 2011 at commercial greenhouse inGrand Haven, Minn. Subsequent propagation has shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in 4successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘WFMOBLA’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘WFMOBLA’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘WFMOBLA’ as a new and distinct Weigelacultivar:

-   -   1. Attractive, glossy dark burgundy black foliage.    -   2. Excellent hardiness.    -   3. Attractive low mounded habit that requires little care or        pruning to maintain shape.    -   4. Dark foliage in the Spring when overwintered under poly-house        greenhouse.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘WFMOBLA’ are similar to plants of the seedparent, the commercial variety, Weigela Florida ‘Verweig’ U.S. PlantPat. No. 16,824 in most horticultural characteristics, however, plantsof the new cultivar ‘WFMOBLA’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Dark burgundy black leaves, the parent has green, cream and        pink variegated leaves.    -   2. Foliage has a higher gloss.    -   3. Clean Autumn foliage

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘WFMOBLA’ can also be compared to thecommercial variety Weigela ‘Elvera’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,217. Thesevarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however‘WFMOBLA’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Dark burgundy foliage under poly in Spring; Comparator        foliage is a dirty green under the same conditions.    -   2. Hardier plant.    -   3. Stronger flowering.    -   4. Foliage is glossier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘WFMOBLA’.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical foliage and flowers of‘WFMOBLA’ grown in a greenhouse, in Grand Haven, Minn., in a commercial1 gallon container. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 3years. Plants were grown in a double poly covered greenhouse through thewinter, and under shade cloth through the late spring and summer.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 1996 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘WFMOBLA’ plants grown in a commercialgreenhouse in Grand Haven, Minn. Plants were grown in a double polycovered greenhouse through the winter, and under shade cloth through thelate spring and summer. The description is of plants during Mid July of2014. The plants were 3 years old and in 3 gallon containers. Thegrowing temperature ranged from −31° C. to 38° C. Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Weigela florida ‘WFMOBLA’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 15 days at approximately 27° C.-   Root description: Fine, thin and freely branching.-   Time to produce a rooted young plant: About 2 months at 27° C.

PLANT

-   Plant type: Shrub perennial.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 3 years old.-   Growth habit: Compact with good branching.-   Pot size of plant described: 3 gallon pot.-   Height: Approximately 27 cm to top of foliage.-   Plant spread: Approximately 50 cm.-   Growth rate: Medium.-   Plant vigor: Strong.-   Branching characteristics: Good, significant amount of basal and    intermodal branching.-   Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 16.8 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 5 cm.-   Quantity of lateral branches: About 12.-   Stem:    -   -   Stem appearance.—Rounded with ridges on opposite side 180°            apart, on pubescent stem.        -   Stem color.—Near RHS Brown 200B.        -   Pubescence.—Yes, predominately on the ridges.        -   Aspect.—Straight, occurring at an angle of approximately            40-45°.-   Internode length: Average 2.5-3.5 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Durability of foliage to stress.—Very durable.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 12 fully expanded per main branch.        -   Average length.—Approximately 4.5 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 2.5 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Ovate-oblanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate-Acute.        -   Base.—Cuneate-attenuate.        -   Attachment.—Stalked.        -   Margin.—Serrulate.        -   Texture of top surface.—Slightly pubescence, soft.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—More pubescence than upper side,            feels rougher and slightly gritty.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Greyed-green 191A            with Greyed-purple 187A around the edges. Young foliage            under side: Near RHS Greyed-green 191A with Greyed-purple            187A around the edges. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS            Greyed-purple 187A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS            Greyed-purple 187A.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Small            veins Near RHS Greyed-purple 187B Aroungd the edges            Greyed-green 197A; Midrib Yellow-green 145A. Venation color            under side: Near RHS Greyed-purple 187B.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: Approximately 5 mm. Diameter:            Connection to leaf: 1 mm; Connecting to stem: 3 mm. Petiole            color upper side:. Near RHS Yellow-green 145A. Petiole color            lower side: Near RHS Yellow-green 145A. Petiole Texture            upper side: Pubescent. Petiole Texture lower side:            Pubescent.        -   Other foliage characteristics.—Dimensional, subtle fade            between purple and red groups on foliage.

FLOWER:

-   Natural flowering: Early to late Spring.-   Flower arrangement: Single salverform flowers, mostly terminal.-   Inflorescence type and habit: Umbel.-   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence: About 4-6.-   Inflorescence size: Width: Approximately 4 cm. Height: Approximately    6.5 cm.-   Individual flowers:    -   -   Flower form.—Salverform.        -   Flower aspect.—Upright and slightly outward.        -   Size.—Diameter: Approximately 1 cm. Length: Approximately            3.3 mm. Tube length: 1.5 cm. Tube base diameter: 3 mm.            Flower throat diameter, top: 3 mm.        -   Flower other characteristics.—Flower tube color: Lightly            shaded near RHS Red-purple 70B. Flower throat color: Near            RHS yellow-orange 22A with slight striation of RHS White            155A. Persistence: Self cleaning. Fragrance: None.-   Petal:    -   -   Petal arrangement.—Whorl petals fused at opening of throat.        -   Number of petals per flower.—4.        -   Petal appearance.—Smooth, slight color variation.        -   Petal shape.—Rounded-orbicular.        -   Margin.—Entire, slightly undulate.        -   Tip shape.—Obtuse.        -   Length.—1.2 cm.        -   Width.—9 mm.        -   Texture.—Upper: Smooth, soft, delicate. Lower: Smooth, soft,            delicate. Throat; Soft, smooth.-   Petal color:    -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red-purple 66D at tip            fading into red-purple 64A at base. Lower surface: Soft fade            near RHS Red-purple 66A.        -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red-purple 66D at tip            fading into red-purple 64A at base. Lower surface: Near RHS            Red-purple 66A.        -   Petal vein color.—Upper side: Near RHS Purple 75B. Lower            Side: Near RHS Red-purple 6A well blended.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Length.—Approximately 3.4 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red-purple 59A.-   Sepals:    -   -   Shape.—Narrowly triangular.        -   Arrangement.—Unguiculate, fused at base.        -   Number of sepal.—5.        -   Length.—Approximately 1 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Calyx shape.—Uniguiculate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Tip.—Acuminate.        -   Texture.—Smooth, conaceous.        -   Color.—Upper side: Near RHS Red-purple 59A lightly shaded.            Lower side: Near RHS Red-purple 59B.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Average 1.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—2 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 59A with slight striation of            Yellow-green 145A.        -   Strength.—Good.        -   Texture.—Smooth, coriaceous, slightly pubescent.-   Peuncle: No true peduncle, inflorescence arises from branch.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 1.6 cm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS White 155A blended with Red-purple            58A.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Linear, slightly oblong.        -   Length.—Approximately 8 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-yellow 161D.        -   Pollen.—Not observed.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.        -   Style.—Length: Approximately 3 cm. Color: Near RHS white            155A blended with Red-purple 58A.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Globular, flat-bottomed, lobed. Color: Near            RHS Greyed-yellow 160D. Ovary color: Near RHS Red-purple            59A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date.-   Garden performance: Excellent.-   Disease/pest resistance: Good mildew resistance.-   Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures    between −31 to 38° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Weigela plantnamed ‘WFMOBLA’ as herein illustrated and described.